This article is from page 85 of the 2008-12-16 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 85 JPG
THE Rally Ireland marshal recruit- ment drive was officially launched recently. With less than six weeks before the World Rally Champion- ship 2009 begins, more than 3,000 marshalls and volunteers will be enrolled to Rally Ireland. The event takes place from January 29th — Feb- ruary Ist 2009 and replaces Rally Monte Carlo as the opening round.
Speaking at the launch, Event D1- rector, John Naylor said: “The mar- shals and volunteers of Rally Ireland are vital to the success of our event. Their time and effort led to Rally Ireland 2007 being ranked as one of the best rallies in the Championship. For 2009 we want to raise our game again to be the best.”
Chief marshal, Paul Goodman and his team have already been busy con- tacting all motor around the country: “If people want to marshal at Rally Ireland 2009 they have two options. Firstly, if they are a member of a mo-
tor club they should contact the mar- shal coordinator in their club. Or secondly, if they are not a member of a motor club, they should contact their regional coordinators who will direct them to their nearest motor club.
“We have had a lot of interest in marshalling at Rally Ireland but there is still a need for more people.”
Anyone who marshals at the WRC’s opening event in January will receive a copy of the event programme, a Rally Ireland beanie hat and free en- try to the Service Park, a lunch pack and a hot meal following the running of the stage.
Paul Goodman will be assisted by Regional Coordinators. Each coord1- nator has been assigned a geographi- cal area, which includes the motor clubs in that region.
Clare motor club member Gerry O’Brien from Crusheen is the region- al coordinator for the South West which also includes the Clare area.
Gerry has been an active member
of the Clare Motor Club for many years. Acting as marshal coordina- tor, he has played an active role in re- cruiting marshals from many of his neighbouring clubs in the south west for the past number of years for the Clare Stages Rally. Gerry also acted as chairman of the club for a couple of years.
Gerry also worked as Marshal Co- ordinator for the South West region for Rally Ireland in 2007.
The Clare Motor Club have also launched their recruitment drive for marshals for Rally Ireland and any- body interested in getting involved should contact Gerry O’Brien (086- 2766267), club pro Dermot Kelleher, or club chairman Joe Baker.